Differential fluid?

[monarchman53]

I took my rig into the dealer for the WH brake recall last week and I felt the service manager acted "put out" by having to do the job. When they got the rig in the shop, they called up and said we needed to have the fluid in our differential changed. My rig is a 2004 with 22,000 miles. I told them to go ahead and do it, but now I'm wondering if this was necessary or were they just trying to generate revenue off the recall job? Does this sound like normal protocol or am I being had for $160.00 of unecessary work?
Rod

[94-Newmar]

Check your WH documentation but I remember seeing many manufacturers recommending the first diff flush/fill at 30-40k. That fluid has all the 'break-in' debris still circulating in it so I wouldn't hesitate to make my first change even sooner than that - especially since there is no filter for that fluid.

[Lued]

Sounds like about $100.00 Labor

[txdutt]

I bet your suspicion is correct...just another "revenue enhancer" while they wait on the recall reimbursement to come in from the mfgr...one of the main reasons I do all of my own prev maint on my vehs...

[oemtech]

I changed mine myself... Mobil 1 gear lube is about $9 a quart and it takes 12 quarts. So $160 is not out of line. Necessary maybe/maybe not. Here is a link to my web site that shows the Gear Lube Change.

[monarchman53]

At $9 aquart X 12 qts., I'm not going to whine about too much about not having to do it myself- even if they were trying to generate a little extra revenue, I'll feel better knowing that it's done. Thanks all for your responses.
Rod

[FDchief]

I changed mine at 24k miles. The fluid was pristine, and if I had to do it again, probably wouldn't. But now you can feel good for the next 200k miles

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDchief I changed mine at 24k miles. The fluid was pristine, and if I had to do it again, probably wouldn't. But now you can feel good for the next 200k miles

Chief, Oemy said pretty much the same thing. I'm sitting here with 87,400 miles so I'm getting an itchy trigger finger to change the differential oil and may wind up doing so in 2011. I'm also going to pull the plug on my synthetic filled transmission and give it a drain as well. New filter is already waiting from the Club Rally on Hatteras. We gave away a case of Allison filters as door prizes. I just happened to win one!

Well, I opened the box, I will admit to that.

[FDchief]

Driver, congrats on the filter door prize, I will have to spend $8 at my Allison dealer for mine

I too will be dumping my transynd for fresh in Spring 2011. What a waste to drain that perfectly good fluid! But I do feel good knowing that my transmission is properly protected since I am always running close to my GCVWR! The really good news is that I won't be flushing my brakes this Spring

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDchief The really good news is that I won't be flushing my brakes this Spring

Don't forget to flush them in Spring 2012.

[FDchief]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer Don't forget to flush them in Spring 2012.

I may wait until Spring of 2013, as the end of the world according to the Mayans is 2012

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDchief I may wait until Spring of 2013, as the end of the world according to the Mayans is 2012

Now I know why they made you Chief!

[wagonmaster2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FDchief I changed mine at 24k miles. The fluid was pristine, and if I had to do it again, probably wouldn't. But now you can feel good for the next 200k miles

My Freightliner manual lists changing the differential fluid as one of the yearly maintenance items. I did it every year while under the 3-year FL warranty but now doing it every other year, and the fluid coming out still looks as good as the new fluid. Will probably get into trouble though with my GS extended warranty if anything ever goes wrong with anything any place on the coach. Understand they are good about denying coverage for this reason.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2 My Freightliner manual lists changing the differential fluid as one of the yearly maintenance items. I did it every year while under the 3-year FL warranty but now doing it every other year, and the fluid coming out still looks as good as the new fluid.

Wagonmaster2, I would not disagree with your strategy. Changing synthetic differential fluid every year seems to me to be a very expensive requirement. Sending a sample of the fluid to a testing lab to verify the viability of the fluid will rule out whether the fluid needs to be changed.

It's a lot less expensive to test than change.